STF Super Awesome Top 30 Team Preview: #24 Arkansas Razorbacks

#24 Arkansas Razorbacks





Team: Arkansas Razorbacks

Conference: SEC

2006 Record and Ending: 21-14 Lost to USC in first round of the NCAA Tournament

Key Players Returning: This seems to be a reoccurring theme with our first few teams, but everyone is back. Most importantly, SEC Freshmen of the Year Patrick Beverley and SEC Defensive Player of the Year Steven Hill are back.

What's to Love: Everyone is back from a team that really seemed to come together towards the end of the season, resulting to a berth in the SEC Championship game. Super freshmen G Patrick Beverley returns with a trio of talented seniors (C Steven Hill, F Charles Thomas, G Sonny Weems). Despite last season's success, the Razorbacks showed Stan Heath the door, replacing him with John Pelphrey of South Alabama. With much rejoicing from the Razorbacks faithful, Pelphrey has promised to return the "40 Minutes of Hell" pressing defense made famous by the Backs in the early 90s. The combination of the returning seniors, returning "Hell", Patrick Beverly, and a Steele-less Bama squad could give the SEC West to the Razorbacks.

What's Not to Love: The exit of Stan Heath following the team's recent success was slightly puzzling. The decision was made even more controversial after first choice Dana Altman accepted the head coaching position, only to change his mind a few days later. Who knows if the Razoracks made the right by firing Heath after he seemed to be making progress with back-to-back Tournament appearances? It's anyone's guess how the young players (Beverley) who were recruited to play Heath's style react to Pelphrey.

Key Player: Simply put, Patrick Beverley is a stud (14 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3 apg). Looks like the reincarnation of Joe Johnson. I only got to see him play during the Razorbacks run to the SEC Championship game, but the man can do everything. He was the Razorback version of Kevin Durant, only with more defense and rebounding. With Durant gone to the NBA, expect Beverley to become a household name.

Best Case: Beverley continues to progress into one of the most talented guards in nation, the transition from Heath to Pelphrey goes over seamlessly, Steven Hill develops his offensive game, Ervin plays more consistently at point, Hell returns, the senior leadership of this team finally leads this squad to a victory in the NCAA Tournament

Worst Case: The seniors on this squad have a difficult time adjusting to Pelphrey, defenses key on Beverly and put the game in the hands of Weems and Ervin, the transition to a pressing defense takes away many of Hill defensive specialties, this team once again fails to win a Tournament game.

STF Prediction: 1st or 2nd in the SEC West, 7-9 seed, advance to Round of 32.